Our Doctors

As Medical Director at TMCC, Dr Sunny Nayee holds over 15 years of experience in medicinal care. 

Dr Sunny Nayee specialises in minimally invasive (non operative) pain relief for the spine and joints, as well as many other areas of chronic pain.

“My focus is on accurately diagnosing patients and then to give them the best treatment options available. I advise my patients to think of pain as a pyramid, starting off with the simple treatments first and then moving up the ladder to more invasive treatments in order to keep risks as minimal as possible. 

I aim to educate and share the knowledge on the powers of medicinal cannabis, to help end the stigma that can surround using this medication.”

Dr Sunny Nayee trained at Cambridge University Medical School and has completed training rotations in some of the top teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom, including the well-renowned Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, the Royal Brompton Hospital in South Kensington and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in West London. 

He has an extensive publication record, including notable research into Zinc and Brain Tumours, which was published within the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health in 2005 and in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2007.

In 2021, Dr Sunny Nayee was named ‘Super Doc’ at the Canex Awards 2021.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“I had my first consultation with Dr Nayee and for the first time I felt heard and truly understood. The consultation was thorough and I had all my questions answered. Since then, although it has only been  a short time, I finally feel like my old self.” –  H Casey

“Dr Sunny Nayee is amazing, kind and thoughtful (not your average doctor). He comes across like he does care and he’s improving people’s lives.” – R Holmwood

“I have always been dealt with politely and professionally by everyone I have spoken with at TMCC, Dr Nayee in particular has been fantastic and is very knowledgeable.” – Pain Patient

“Dr Nayee incredibly polite, caring and helpful” – Pain Patient

“Dr Sunny Nayee is very knowledgeable, reassuring, and professional.” – G Moore

MBChB, MRCPsych

As a Consultant Psychiatrist with TMCC, Dr Luisa Searle has over fifteen years of experience in working with patients from many different backgrounds.

Dr Searle is currently the Lead Consultant for the substance misuse service in the borough of Westminster. As well as the Lead Consultant for the substance misuse service for under 25’s in the boroughs of Camden and Islington.

Dr Searle completed her core training in the London South East region, including Charing Cross and King’s College Hospitals. She received her Psychiatric Training and CCT in Adult Psychiatry and Substance Misuse from The Maudsley Hospital NHS Trust, as well as obtaining her Medical Degree from The University of Manchester.

“I have a particular interest in patients with multiple diagnoses and how these intersect and impact patient well-being. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in a number of different fields that have equipped me of the challenges of modern Psychiatry. I believe in understanding my patients holistically to provide the best possible outcomes for them.”

Dr Searle’s career skill highlights include assessment and management of specialist psychiatric populations such as Complex Psychiatric disorders, Patients with multiple diagnoses, General Adult Psychiatry: particularly Mood and Anxiety disorders, Substance Misuse, Perinatal substance misuse ADHD, collaborative working and cultural sensitivity.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with Dr Searle was very good, thorough and appropriate to my needs. I would highly recommend Dr Searle for any mental health enquiries, after just 6-8 weeks, I was able to give up 150mg sertraline, 5-10ml diazepam, and up to 120mg codeine(all daily), with the new medication, (approx 6 weeks)with absolutely no side effects bar a few light sleep nights.” – C Mechen

Dr Elie Okirie specialises in treating patients who live with chronic pain to improve their quality of life.

Dr Andrew Bradford
BMSc, MBChB, MSc, MD, MAPP (Psych), FRACGP, MHGI

Dr Andrew Bradford has extensive healthcare experience as a rehabilitation specialist and primary care doctor. His training includes neurological rehabilitation and the recovery of function from many different types of physical disability (acquired or degenerative injury and disease). He has experience in hospital, community, secure unit and drug-dependence services. He has worked both in the UK and Australia. He has primary care based experience managing mental and psychological ill-health. 

“I have a wide range of experience in the management of physical and mental health recovery and rehabilitation. Many of the patients I have treated have found medical cannabis helpful for improving their symptoms and well-being.”

Dr Bradford has interests in integrative medicine and brief psychological interventions including solution focused, acceptance-based, cognitive and behavioural interventions.

Dr Anup Mathew
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEA
DCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd

Dr. Anup Mathew is a psychiatrist with an extensive background in medical education, mental health law and experience in alcohol and substance misuse.

Dr Mathew is a Consultant Psychiatrist for an Adult Male Rehabilitation and High Dependency Inpatient Unit within a private hospital. He is also a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS providing psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent. He completed his core training in The Royal London and Barts training scheme, his higher training in The South London and Maudsley training scheme and received his CCT in Adult and Rehabilitation Psychiatry. During both his core and higher training, Dr Mathew was a finalist for a National award by Royal College of Psychiatrists.

“My focus has always been on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have worked in a wide range of sub-specialities within mental health.This has allowed me to develop expertise in treating complex and enduring mental health conditions such as, ADHD, OCD, Emotional Dysregulation, Anxiety, Insomnia and Depression. I’m honoured to be part of the UK’s leading and most respected Medical Cannabis Clinic, working alongside a dedicated and highly skilled multidisciplinary team.”

Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber which heard appeals relating to mental health related benefit decisions made by central and local government. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.

Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education. He is a University Lecturer and was an examiner for final year medical students. He was also a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists MRCPsych Clinical Topics Panel which managed the construction of Membership examination questions. Dr Mathew is involved in research and he has published papers in international peer-reviewed journals and delivered international presentations.

As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. His extensive knowledge extends to all aspects of addiction including individual brain mechanisms, behaviour and its overall effect on the family. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council. He is tasked by the Fitness to Practice Directorate to perform an examination of a doctor’s physical and mental health when the GMC receives concerns about the doctor.

Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“A huge thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Having access to my medicine has made a  huge improvement on my quality of life and I’ve started to develop new healthy patterns in the gaps that would usually be filled with anxiety and paranoia.” – CJM

BSc, MbChB MRPsych

Dr Rebecca Moore specialises in psychiatry with The Medical Cannabis Clinics, with a medical career spanning over twenty years. Dr Moore particularly specialises in perinatal psychiatry, postnatal depression, women’s health, anxiety and depression, PMS, birth trauma, PTSD and perinatal loss.  

“I have expertise in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD and psychosis in the perinatal period. I offer one off assessments or long term care. I have a special interest in Birth Trauma and PTSD after birth. I believe that cannabis has many uses in medicine , and with The Medical Cannabis Clinics we provide high quality expert review and care to give patients more choices and options for managing symptoms such as anxiety, low mood or insomnia for example.”

Dr Moore is also a guest lecturer with ‘Make Birth Better’ and a member of the Editorial Board for Motherdom Magazine. She strongly believes in working collaboratively, honestly and with kindness.

Dr Liz Iveson has been working with patients in this field for over ten years, she currently works with The Medical Cannabis clinics specialising in complex care, neurorehabilitation and elderly medicine. 

Dr Iveson has a long history of commitment to clinical research and was the Regional Lead for Stroke in the Yorkshire and Humber Combined Local Research Network. Recently, she has become interested in medical cannabis as a treatment option and supports complex care patients who have multiple symptoms, such as pain from many different causes and those struggling with fatigue and mood disorders. 

“As a Consultant Physician specialising in complex care and neurorehabilitation, I support patients of all ages who experience a range of chronic symptoms arising from long-term conditions, stroke and trauma. I have particular experience in all aspects of stroke care, neurological rehabilitation and frailty. I offer holistic, comprehensive management of patients with multiple comorbidities and symptoms such as spasticity, chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment and mood disorders. I’m dedicated to providing specialist, patient-centred, holistic care for patients and their families through my work. I am passionate about communicating well and involving patients in decisions about their care. I look at patients as a whole; working with them and their families to improve their quality of life.”

During her career, Dr Iveson has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2020 and is a member of the British Associate of Stroke Physicians, British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine, British Geriatric Society and the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation Organisation.

MB BS, FRCA, FFPMRCA

Dr Attam Singh is a pain specialist with The Medical Cannabis Clinics. He specialises in musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain of either single or multiple origins. Before training as a consultant in pain medicine, he qualified in anaesthesia and has worked in hospitals both across the UK and USA. Dr Singh also educates other medical professionals through national and international conferences. 

“I have spent over 10 years refining the management of common pain conditions as well as the more obscure ailments related to pain. My specialist interests are musculoskeletal disorders and neuropathic pain and I use gold standard radiology controlled methods as well as ultrasound guided procedures to ensure accurate and patient centred treatments. I am a keen advocate for working with overseas populations who would not otherwise have access to the high quality healthcare services.”

Dr Attam Singh has spent time researching new forms of neuromodulation for the long term treatment of neuropathy in London and was awarded a fellowship at the University of Michigan, where he demonstrated and trained others on his procedural techniques. He has won awards including the Clinical Excellence Award for showing Care and Compassion in Clinical Practice in 2013 and Health Service Journal Award for Patient Safety in 2014.

Dr. Shankar Ramaswamy specialises in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), neuropathic pain, lumbar spinal pain & sciatica, thoracic spinal pain, cervical spinal pain & whiplash, joint and musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, endometriosis, urogenital pain, cancer pain, pain after surgery & trauma, complex headaches and complex pain diagnosis.

MBChB, MRCPsych

Dr Tahzid Ahsan is a Consultant Psychiatrist for an Acute Female inpatient ward at a NHS hospital within the Pennine region of the Greater Manchester area. 

Dr Ahsan completed his Core training in the South West Training scheme, with his higher training completed in the North West, receiving his CCT in General Adult Psychiatry and Rehabilitation Psychiatry.

“I have over 14 years of Psychiatric experience, gaining extensive knowledge in the assessment, treatment and management of a multitude of mental health conditions.

Since I have been working for The Medical Cannabis Clinics from November 2020, I have been amazed by the transformative influence medical cannabis is having on people’s lives. I feel incredibly privileged to have joined a renowned clinic and to be able to work with such dedicated staff and colleagues.”

Dr Ahsan has an interest in holistic treatment approaches, gaining qualifications in Emotional Freedom technique, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural  Therapy.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“I was initially really worried about the whole process as it was a brand new experience for me, but within minutes of speaking to Dr Ahsan I felt relaxed and assured – he really knows his stuff and I can’t fault the main flower he prescribed me. I felt he actually cared about my problems and actually wanted to help me. I will definitely be booking my follow-up with Dr Ahsan.” – J Walsh

“Dr Ahsan has been truly awesome. He is kind and has a wonderful uplifting approach – I feel lighter after I see him. He sees me as a whole person with a life and family, not just a list of conditions. Dr Ahsan understands my conditions and my symptoms and which cannabis flower is good for them. He has been able to also consider my physical health and what will help that too.

Importantly, I feel that were I to have a further mental health crisis, I would actually feel comfortable to ask Dr Ahsan for advice.” – D Queen

MBChB, FRCPsych, MBA, PGDL, PGDC

Dr Niraj Singh is a Consultant Psychiatrist and specialises in Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry. He has extensive experience in treating adults with ADHD, mental illness associated with Autism, intellectual disabilities as well as other mental illnesses.

Dr Niraj Singh is a University of Leicester medical school graduate and completed his core training in Leicestershire as well as his higher training in Nottinghamshire. He currently works as a community NHS Consultant since 2009 and also in private practice. He has extensive experience of treating people with medical cannabis.

Dr Niraj Singh has a Postgraduate diploma in Mental Health Law as well as in Personal coaching and mentoring. He obtained a Masters in Business Administration degree in 2013 and has been involved in the set up of healthcare sector services as well as making service  improvements.

He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists which was awarded in 2020. He is also an executive member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists with both regional and national roles. In 2021 he took up a post as an executive committee member for the UK Medical Cannabis Clinicians society.

“I have extensive experience in the areas of neurodevelopmental psychiatry, including helping people with ADHD, Autism, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome. In addition I see patients with PTSD, insomnia, depression, anxiety, mental illness associated with brain injury and dementia. I have a passion for ensuring my patients attain a better quality of life through holistic treatment focussing on lifestyle, diet, exercise, good sleep and meaningful activity. Medical cannabis can have significant positive improvement on overall mental and physical well being.”

Dr Niraj Singh has featured in various publications, including Cannabis Health News and has also contributed to medical cannabis education through webinars at the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society as well as teaching. 

He is actively involved in teaching both undergraduate medical students and is a registered clinical supervisor as well as educational supervisor for higher trainees.

Dr Niraj Singh has published in well known journals and is involved currently in research projects.

You can read more about Dr Singh’s experience on using medical cannabis for ADHD here.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“I have been a patient of Dr Niraj Singh’s since the start of the year. In a field which can seem daunting to new patients, I have found him to be empathetic, understanding, and proactive in recommending the best course of treatment. Under his care I have been able to reduce my reliance on side effect heavy SSRI medications, and my quality of life is improving as a result. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Singh.” – Anonymous

MD, MSc, MRCP, FRCP, CCST, Diploma of Medical Rehabilitation

Dr Ayman Askari specialises in the diagnosis and management of rheumatic conditions and has a solid base in general medicine. Throughout his career, he has developed a knowledge base on biological agents, such as using anti-TNFs as modern therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. 

Dr Askari has trained across many centres across a variety of fields, such as clinical bone and joint disorders, connective tissue diseases (such as SLE, Scleroderma and Sjogren’s), muscle disorders and osteoporosis. 

Rheumatology has recently become an outpatient discipline, Dr Askari believes that there is a scope for inpatient cases where collaboration with internal medicine is important. 

“I’m interested in the best interest of my patients and have a holistic approach with a wide knowledge in general medicine. I treat all rheumatic conditions including rheumatoid, lupus, spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma and osteoporosis. I am interested in chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia and fatigue. I believe in treating the patient holistically rather than the disease generically.”

The core of Doctor Askari’s experience was gained as a registrar at King’s College Hospital, London. He is currently appointed at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, and previously held appointments across  London, Christchurch, Basingstoke, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Belfast, Barnsley, North Manchester, Tameside, Dumfries, Galloway and Sheffield. He has featured across many publications, a list of which can be seen here. 

He is particularly skilled in listening, investigating, monitoring and recommending appropriate management, having developed these skills over years of interaction with patients and medical staff.

Dr. Mark Wilbourn is a General Practitioner based in Jersey.

Dr Wilbourn trained at the University of Southampton. He undertook Basic Surgical Training in Rotherham and Sheffield. He subsequently spent four years training in ENT and Maxillofacial Surgery before deciding that only General Practice offered the breadth of practice that he was suited to. He therefore opted to train as a GP in the Wessex region.

After his medical degree, he has undertaken the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England diploma, the Diploma in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health and Epidemiology, the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners and has some diplomas in nutrition. He has been awarded the Royal College of General Practitioners Fellowship, their highest award.

“I am a doctor practicing as a GP in Jersey with training in cannabis medicine. Here, when the legislation around medical cannabis was created, any doctor was permitted to prescribe, without the UK requirement to be on a specialist register. All the guidelines advise prescribing within a doctor’s scope of practice. This means that GPs, who look after patients with multiple medical problems, are able to prescribe cannabis holistically in Jersey.”

Dr Wilbourn first met a patient self-medicating with cannabis as a medical student in the mid 90s, the patient’s rheumatoid arthritis was in remission thanks to the cannabis he was using, but he was concerned that his GP or rheumatologist would find out and take it away from him. This left him with the perception that the medical profession and the law needed to facilitate good medical care with cannabis and, finally, this has now happened and he’s happy to be able to support it. 

Dr Wilbourn moved to Jersey in 2010 and has worked in Rosewood House, Sandybrook Nursing Home, Island Medical Centre and the Primary Care Governance Team. He currently works part time 4 days per week for Windsor Medical Practice, alternate Saturday mornings and 2 sessions per week for The Medical Cannabis Clinic. He is also a GP appraiser, former Advanced Trauma Life Support instructor, and a Trustee of The Oxygen Centre and Barochamber operator.

MBBS, DA, FCAI, MSc 

Dr Jing Lee qualified at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, and underwent the majority of his training in several teaching hospitals in London, including pain management at the Royal London Hospital and Whipps Cross Hospital.

Dr Lee was the lead involved in poster presentations of pain management projects and studies at the annual scientific conferences of the British Pain Society (Brighton) and European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (Seville and Dublin).

He has been invited to participate in the peer review process in publications for the British Journal of Pain and has also been a regular guest lecturer in chronic pain on a pain management module at the University of Coventry since 2015.

“I am a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia with over twenty-five years of experience in managing wide-ranging chronic pain conditions, and with a special interest in neuropathic pain, spinal pain, fibromyalgia and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

 I have a special interest in the use of medicinal cannabis with its benefits in chronic pain, especially in cases where patients have failed to find pain relief after exhausting all options available on the NHS. I also believe in a holistic approach and acupuncture in managing chronic pain.”

Since 2010, Dr Lee is the course director and organiser of the annual national training courses in ultrasound guided vascular access and ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia, numbing the nerve block techniques for pain relief during awake surgery and pain relief and management after surgery as part of the multidisciplinary approach.

He was also the clinical lead in internal regional anaesthesia training, at his NHS hospitals. He is a faculty member on similar international/national cadaveric training courses at the University of Dundee and University of Coventry and has taught anaesthetic trainees at the GAT Annual Scientific Meeting in Telford. Dr Lee has also been a faculty member and an examiner on the Master’s degree course in Regional Anaesthesia at the University of East Anglia since 2014, and he has also contributed to many conferences, presentations and publications.

MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA

Dr Farrah Ayob qualified in Medicine at Kings College London in 2007 after completing her medical training in London, USA, Prague and Canada.

Dr Ayob continued her specialist training in Anaesthesia in London. She was awarded the Fellowship of Royal College of Anaesthetist in 2015. In 2018, she completed a Peri-operative Anaesthesia Fellowship in Toronto Western Hospital and Women’s College Hospital which are part of University Hospital Network in Toronto, Canada.

There, Dr Ayob conducted research in prehabilitation before surgery and has published several reputable scientific articles. She also had presented her work both regionally and internationally in New York and Florida. She also was actively involved within acute pain service where she manages complex pain using various regional blocks, complex medical management and medicinal cannabis. She has completed over 400 regional blocks there for pain management before surgery.

“I am a Chronic Pain Specialist with a background of Anaesthesiology. I manage pain resistant conditions including Joint and Spine related pain, Post-surgical Pain, Fibromyalgia, Neuropathic pain, Pelvic pain and pain in various conditions (Ehler’s Dahnlos, Osteoarthritis, Endometriosis, IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases). I have trained in Canada with the use of medical cannabis and have managed successfully to improve patients’ pain and quality of life to a significant extent. This is definitely a life changing experience for them. This has  increased my interest in medicinal Cannabis for the management of Chronic Pain.

I also have a special interest in cancer related pain. The patients I treat include patients with active cancer or cancer survivor patients. Many conventional painkillers can lead to unwanted side effects. I see a good opportunity in using cannabis to improve pain and quality of life for these patients. I am also keen for involvement in studies related to long term effect of using medicinal Cannabis and in the UK, I am grateful that project Twenty21 has initiated this.”

Dr Ayob proceeded to do her Advanced Pain Fellowship at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Hillingdon Hospital and Royal Marsden Hospital after which she gained the Fellowship of Faculty of Pain Medicine in 2019. Her training was focused on various pain conditions using holistic management such as Interventional pain management, medicines management, acupuncture, pain psychology and managing cancer pain conditions.

As a Consultant, she initiated the Transitional Pain Service at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital where she liaised with GPs, Pharmacists and Psychologists  with the aim to reduce opioid use after surgery. Dr Ayob now sees a high volume of patients with pain conditions, managing them with analgesics, anti-neuropathics and medicinal cannabis. Dr Ayob also performs various interventional blocks for chronic pain. Dr Ayob regularly conducted Multidisciplinary Meetings with Physiotherapists, GPs and Nurse Specialists. She also regularly delivers educational presentations to GPs and specialist trainees in current Pain topics. She is currently a Faculty Tutor for her NHS hospital.

MD, FWACP, Diploma in Psychiatry, DPM, MRCPsych

Dr Ikwuagwu is a fully GMC registered general adult psychiatrist with over thirty-seven years of experience in the assessment and management of all types of mental health disorders, including mental disorders and co-morbid alcohol and substance misuse disorders. 

Besides his primary speciality, Dr Ikwuagwu has a special interest in adult ADHD and, in conjunctions with the previous Service Manager of the Blackpool Primary/Intermediate Health Team (P/IMHT), he set up the Blackpool adult ADHD clinic, the only clinic of its kind on the Fylde Coast. 

Since retiring from his substantive consultant role in December 2018, Dr Ikwuagwu has returned to part-time NHS work to support younger acting consultant psychiatrists with acquiring the relevant competencies they require to obtain Approved Clinician (AC) status and currently works predominantly in the inpatient setting. He has also set up and runs the Blackpool Young Persons Clinic alongside the Blackpool CAMHS. This involves assessing and managing young persons aged between 15 and 21 who suffer from different types of mental health problems and sometimes with comorbid alcohol and substance misuse disorder.

“After completing my medical training in Bucharest in 1981, I did the first part of my psychiatric residency training at Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria until 1992, when I then moved to the UK to carry on my training between 1993-1996. From 2017 to date, I am a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) assessor and work with several councils across the North West region of the UK and beyond with this. From these experiences, I have been able to develop a keen clinical ability to listen, empathise and understand the psychic distress/pain of my patients. I believe that providing patients with a listening ear, a good understanding of why they were referred to me and the ability to engage them in a journey of collaborative and non-judgemental management is important.”

As a consultant psychiatrist, Dr Ikwuagwu fully understands and appreciates the role of culture in the assessment and management of those in need of psychiatric care. Through his training, clinical practice and other experiences, he has acquired a good understanding of patient needs and looks to create a sound therapeutic milieu that reassures and encourages his patients to fully participate in a collaborative plan to manage their symptoms.

Lead in Dual Diagnosis service, FP Expansion advisor, HEE MRCPsych, PGC ME, PGC Cl PSYCH, PG Dip Psych Med

Dr Fariha Kamal is a consultant Psychiatrist working as an NHS Consultant for dual diagnosis service in Yorkshire. The dual diagnosis is a highly specialist tertiary service for people with severe mental illness and substance misuse disorders. Dr Kamal holds a CCT in general adult psychiatry with endorsement in Substance Misuse. 

Dr Fariha Kamal has extensive knowledge and experience in treating mood, OCD and anxiety disorders including PTSD and other stress related conditions as well as substance related disorders including illicit drugs, New Psychoactive Substances, Alcohol and prescribed medication dependence. 

Dr Fariha Kamal developed the dual diagnosis service for people with enduring mental illness and comorbid substance misuse for the NHS trust and currently leads this service. Dr Kamal has received two clinical excellence awards for developing and running an excellent dual diagnosis service.

As well as working for the NHS trust, she also contributes at Health Education England as Foundation program expansion advisor. This position aims at developing new training placements for newly qualified doctors to create a high quality workforce for future Health care needs of the country. Prior to taking up this position Dr Kamal worked as AMD for undergraduate medical education at the NHS Trust.

Dr Kamal delivers lectures to first year medical students as well as teaching other year groups and conducting interviews for a selection of medical students at the University of Leeds. She has received the “excellence in clinical teaching” award and two certificates of merit from the University of Leeds for developing and supervising an excellent teaching program for medical students.

“I am a consultant psychiatrist with extensive experience in a wide range of mental health disorders including mood disorder, anxiety, OCD and psychotic conditions. I specialise in substance misuse disorder and treat patients with complex mental illness and comorbidity with substance use including alcohol and a variety of illicit drugs including cannabis. 

I have a special interest and experience in anxiety and stress related disorders including PTSD. My approach is that of building a partnership with patients and working together to achieve a healthy life where patients can live and function to their full potential.”

Dr Kamal has published a research article in Irish Medical Journal ‘Factors affecting the outcome of methadone maintenance treatment in opiate addiction.’

She has also contributed as an author on the chapter of dual diagnosis in the book ‘Therapeutic strategies in Schizophrenia.’

Dr Kamal has presented at the local Joint Academic Psychiatric Seminar on many occasions, including the recent ‘Drugs as Medicines,’ highlighting the benefits of using medicinal cannabis for psychiatric conditions.

MBBS, PGD Psych, MRCPsych, CCT in General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry

Dr Syed Badshah is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) and holds a specialist registration with UK’s Medical governing body, the GMC.

He specialises in General Adult Psychiatry and Substance Misuse/Addiction Psychiatry. He is Section 12(2) approved and recognised by the Secretary of State as having expertise in the diagnosis and management of mental disorders.  He also holds an Approved Clinician (AC) status.

Dr Badshah also works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in an Adult Community Mental Health team (CMHT) in the NHS and with a privately run substance misuse service. 

He completed his Core and Specialist Psychiatry training in Yorkshire and Northwest respectively which gives him over 13 years of experience in assessing, diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions.

“I have had over 13 years of experience in the field of Psychiatry. During this time, I have obtained the required Qualifications, Skills and Experience to assess, diagnose and treat a variety of mental health conditions. 

I always aim to provide the best possible standard of care to my patients. I have acquired a range of clinical skills over the years working in Psychiatry, which include skills in Teaching, Training, Leadership and Management.

I have substantive experience in range of other specialities within the field of psychiatry which have greatly aided my skills to orchestrate and manage a range of complexities in our patient groups and to work efficiently and effectively within the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and in liaison with other agencies including third party agencies linked to mental health services.

My sole aim has always been to improve the quality-of-care provision for my patients.”

MBBS, FRCS (ENT), FRCS (ORL-HNS) 

Dr Umapathy has been working in the NHS since 1996, becoming a consultant in 2002. As a general ENT specialist, he deals with all aspects of ENT clinical practice including the treatment of the following conditions: 

• Chronic facial pain
• Headaches, including migraines and atypical pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Tinnitus leading to anxiety and depression
• TM joint dysfunction and pain
• Head and neck cancer with symptoms of pain, nausea and vomiting
• Palliative treatment 
• Complex post-operative pain

Pain is one of the most common symptoms that Dr Umapathy manages in his practice. He closely follows any new developments on the effectiveness of medical cannabis and for the range of symptoms that can be helped by this medication. He also keeps a close eye on current guidelines from the General Medical Council (GMC) and National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for prescribing medical cannabis safely, so he can always keep the patient’s best interest in mind.

“I endeavour to do my best for my patients at all times. I involve patients in the decision-making process and prescribe what is appropriate for the patients.

I listen to patients carefully and empathise with those who might be struggling with varied symptoms and I do my best to help alleviate those symptoms. 

I enjoy working in a multidisciplinary setting, liaising with relevant specialists such as neurologists, audiologists, anaesthetists, psychiatrists, pharmacists and specialist nurses. This assures the patient the opportunity to get the best out of healthcare professionals.”

Dr Umapathy is a member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) and keeps himself updated regularly on relevant scientific and political developments on the medicinal use of cannabis 

Outside of work, Dr Umapathy enjoys listening to music, walking, watching cricket and football and playing badminton. He welcomes the feedback of his colleagues and patients (both positive and negative) as he believes that people can always improve what they do by continuing to develop themselves professionally.

MRCGP, MFHom

Dr Leonard Mirvis graduated from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa in 1976. He went on to train at Baragwanath Hospital, Africa’s largest hospital, and qualified as a doctor in South Africa.

Dr Mirvis moved to London to further his training, qualifying in Family Medicine and taking the MRCGP exam. He went on to work as a suburban GP for many years  before emigrating to Manitoba, Canada, where he worked in a rural practice with other doctors, running their own small rural hospital.

“I am an experienced general practitioner having practiced for over thirty years on three continents. I am particularly interested in holistic medicine and natural therapy. I have studied homoeopathy and have an interest in herbal medicine. Cannabis appears to be a natural product with great potential in many diseases. I am excited to be at the forefront of  the medical use of this ancient but neglected medicine.”

Dr Mirvis relocated to Jersey to be nearer to his family and prescribes medical cannabis to Jersey patients of The Medical Cannabis Clinics. He enjoys sea swimming, running a book club and gardening in his spare time.

MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP, IFMCP, DCMAcup, LFHomeopathy

Dr Sheila Richards trained at St George’s Hospital Medical School in London and has always shown a keen interest in complementary medicine, specifically with using a holistic approach. She is one of only eleven IFM Certified Functional Medicine Doctors in the UK, and uses the approach of focusing on treating the root cause of chronic symptoms.

“I find it very satisfying prescribing medical cannabis and seeing the transformative effect it can have on the lives of people who have been suffering often for many years.”

Dr Richards is a qualified GP Appraiser and has received a Diploma in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. She is also a member of the British Medical Acupuncture society of Western Acupuncture. 

Dr Richards has also completed training in Homeopathy and Neurolinguistic Programming. She is considered an expert at promoting a healthy lifestyle to achieve good health.

Dr Richards delivers safe, effective advice and treatment for those who prefer to avoid the side effects of opioid use or have symptoms that aren’t responding to conventional Western Medicine. 

BSc BMBS MRCGP

Dr Birch moved to the UK from Jersey to study medicine in Brighton at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. During this time, he also completed an intercalated degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Sussex. After qualifying from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, he went on to foundation training in London before completing his GP training in Oxford. 

“I help patients who have seen a specialist and been started on medical cannabis and review their care. At TMCC, we work using a shared care agreement between the specialist, the patient, and myself. If they are stable and well, I can continue their prescriptions. If there are any concerns or significant changes needed, I work with the MDT or their specialist to make a suitable treatment plan.  

It is a genuine pleasure speaking to patients who have reported life changing improvements by using medical cannabis, and I am happy to be part of this new field of medicine.”

Dr Birch also has an interest in the care of elderly patients, and was undertaking the Diploma in Geriatric Medicine before this was delayed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. In the future, he hopes to complete this and become a GP trainer. 

Dr Birch currently works as a full-time NHS GP and looks after a local nursing home alongside working for TMCC across the UK and Jersey clinics.

FRCEM, PgDip(SEM), MBBS, BSc. (Medical Anthropology)

Dr David Tang graduated from King’s College London in 2007 and spent his formative years as a doctor pursuing his dream of working within Emergency Medicine. 

During his training he was fortunate to be able to train in Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation Medicine, achieving a Post Graduate Diploma from Bath University, which saw him working for the military as well as within elite sport.

Through both the Rehabilitation and Emergency Medicine experiences, Dr Tang sees and treats an array of patients presenting with problems associated with both acute and chronic pain. 

He has an ongoing understanding of the various modalities of medications used to treat both, and the side effects they can lead to. He sees and treats patients from all walks of life and has an ongoing interest in managing patients as holistically as possible.

“Throughout my time in Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, I have worked with patients from both military and civilian backgrounds who were all on raft of pain medications. Although this would help reduce their levels of pain, it would come at the cost of a host of other unwanted side effects, tolerance and addiction problems.

Cannabinoid based medicinal products offer patients a safe and proven option for treatment of acute and chronic pain without the side effects experienced with opioid and gabapentinoid medications.”

Dr Tang has recently been appointed Clinical Lead for medical students at Musgrove Park Hospital, where he works as a Consultant in the Emergency Department. 

He allies this with an interest in Sports and Minor Injuries, and takes an interest in the emergency management of back pain.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“Dr Tang assisted with my (they are mine alone!) tech issues, gave me detailed information and answered all my queries. I am extremely impressed by the professional, yet non-judgemental treatment I have received. I would happily recommend this service to anyone.” – Anonymous

“Dr Tang was very helpful, knowledgeable and professional and I felt at ease talking to him.” – Anonymous

Consultant Physician and Lead in Acute Stroke, Neuro-rehabilitation

MBBS, FRCP UK, MRCP (I), PG Dip in cerebrovascular and stroke medicine,

PG Cert Brain Injury

Dr Augustin Iqbal is a Lead consultant in stroke medicine covering both acute stroke and general stroke rehabilitation units in an NHS trust in Yorkshire. Dr Iqbal has a CCT in Rehabilitation medicine. 

Dr Iqbal has extensive knowledge, skills and experience in the management of chronic pain and neurological conditions including MS, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease. He developed a local brain injury pathway across the region. He also contributed to the development of regional hyperacute, acute and community stroke services in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. He developed botox and spasticity services in Barnsley. He received an “excellence in improving care” award from South West Yorkshire trust. He has further received four clinical excellence awards (CEA) for developing and providing high quality of clinical care. 

He is a member of American spinal injury association, British association of rehabilitation medicine, British Association of Stroke Physicians, American Heart and Stroke association.

 “I have a special interest in the management of neuropathic pain, spasticity, complex neurological conditions and disability. I have extensive experience in the rehabilitation of brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke and other neurological conditions. 

My work ethic is to develop a partnership with patients in developing the best management plan for them.”

Dr Iqbal is an Educational and Clinical supervisor for the undergraduate and postgraduate trainee doctors and is an examiner of OSCE. He contributes to the PCAE courses of Royal college of Physicians. He has also developed teaching modules for undergraduate medical students from the University of Sheffield. 

Dr Iqbal was the principal investigator in three international, multi-centric, randomized controlled trials: 

• “A two phase (Phase 3) study of the safety and efficacy of Sativex in the symptomatic relief of spasticity in the subjects with spasticity due to MS; Phase A single blind response assessment; Phase B double blind randomized, placebo controlled, parallel group study”, (May 2008-09)

• MUSEC Study:  international, multi-centric randomized trial to investigate effectiveness of cannabinoids for the management of spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis. (2006-2007) 

• GWPharma clinical trial:  International, multi-centric randomized trial for investigating efficacy of cannabinoids in CNP in MS. (2006-2009)

He is currently principal investigator for two national trials for the management of post-stroke spasticity, stroke and cardiovascular disease prevention.

BSc (1st Class Hons) Nursing Studies (Teesside University, 2017),PgC Epilepsy Nursing Studies (Edinburgh Napier University, 2019), Neuromodulation Masters Module (Leeds Beckett University, 2020)

NMC: 17G0953E

Katrina has worked within healthcare supporting patients and families/carers for more than 10 years. As a Registered Nurse (RN), she has continued to provide care following completion of a Nursing Degree at Teesside University.

“I have a background of ten years working in healthcare- four years as a Registered Adult Nurse. My clinical experiences involve pain management, Accident & Emergency nursing, hospice and palliative care nursing and specialist interest in Epilepsy nursing.  I have personal and professional experience of the clinical benefits of medicinal cannabis particularly within pain management and epilepsy and will provide support, information and advocacy for patients wishing to explore the suitability of medical cannabis for their condition.”

Katrina’s clinical background includes Specialist Pain Management – working within a clinical team to provide care for patients with a variety of chronic pain issues through a pain clinic service. Hospice nursing, where she was privileged to support clinical symptom management of patients with life limiting conditions. She also has experience from working as a Staff Nurse in Accident & Emergency at a busy trauma centre and a specialist interest in Epilepsy nursing, which led her to undertake a post-graduate certificate in caring for people with epilepsy.

This varied clinical background has given Katrina specialist insight into many physical and psychological health conditions that can be helped by medicinal cannabis. She has both personal and professional experience of the issues with accessing this medication and is passionate about providing holistic care, advocacy and support to patients whilst striving to support enhanced clinical knowledge, research and development of medicinal cannabis.